Cartridge memory, recording medium cartridge, and method of producing the same

ABSTRACT

[Object] A cartridge memory according to an embodiment of the present technology is a cartridge memory for a recording medium cartridge, including: a memory unit; and a capacity setting unit. The memory unit has a memory capacity capable of storing management information relating to a second information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with a second data track number larger than a first data track number. The capacity setting unit is configured to be capable of setting a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable of storing management information relating to a first information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with the first data track number.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a cartridge memory storing managementinformation of an information recording medium, a recording mediumcartridge including this, and a method of producing the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, magnetic recording media are widely used forapplications such as backup of electronic data. As one of the magneticrecording media, for example, a magnetic tape cartridge is increasinglyattracting attention as a storage medium for big data or the likebecause it has a large capacity and can be preserved for a long time.

For example, a magnetic tape cartridge of the LTO (Linear Tape Open)standard is equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagcalled a cartridge memory (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). Sincethe cartridge memory receives the signal magnetic field transmitted froma tape drive (reader/writer) to generate power, it is possible toperform communication with the reader/writer with no power supply. Thecartridge memory includes an antenna and an IC chip forcommunication/recording, and is configured to be capable ofreading/writing production management information, usage history,outlines of recorded content, and the like of cartridges and magnetictapes.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2009-211743

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In this type of magnetic recording medium, the number of data tracks(track density) differs for each generation, and a plurality of types ofcartridge memories having different capacities has been preparedaccordingly.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of thepresent technology to provide a cartridge memory, a recording mediumcartridge, and a method producing the same that are commonly applicableto a plurality of generations of information recording media.

Solution to Problem

A cartridge memory according to an embodiment of the present technologyis a cartridge memory for a recording medium cartridge including: amemory unit; and a capacity setting unit.

The memory unit has a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium configuredto be capable of recording information with a second data track numberlarger than a first data track number.

The capacity setting unit is configured to be capable of setting, to thememory unit, a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable ofstoring management information relating to a first information recordingmedium configured to be capable of recording information with the firstdata track number.

The capacity setting unit may be configured to be capable of expandingthe data storage area limited to the first capacity to a second capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the secondinformation recording medium.

The memory unit may have a memory capacity of not less than 32kilobytes, and the capacity setting unit may be configured to set a datastorage area having the first capacity of not more than 16 kilobytes tothe memory unit.

The cartridge memory may further include a voltage generation unit thatincludes an antenna coil for transmission/reception and receives asignal magnetic field from an external device to generate a voltage.

A recording medium cartridge according to an embodiment of the presenttechnology includes: a first information recording medium; and acartridge memory.

The first information recording medium is configured to be capable ofrecording information with a first data track number.

The cartridge memory includes a memory unit and a capacity setting unit.The memory unit has a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium configuredto be capable of recording information with a second data track numberlarger than the first data track number. The capacity setting unit isconfigured to be capable of setting, to the memory unit, a data storagearea limited to a capacity capable of storing management informationrelating to the first information recording medium.

The first recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium.

The first recording medium may be a tape-like recording medium.

The first data track number may be not less than 6000.

A method of producing a recording medium cartridge according to anembodiment of the present technology, includes:

preparing an information recording medium configured to be capable ofrecording information with a first data track number and a cartridgememory having a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium capable ofrecording information with a second data track number larger than thefirst data track number; and

setting, to the memory unit, a data storage area limited to a capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the firstinformation recording medium configured to be capable of recordinginformation with the first data track number.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, in accordance with the present technology, it ispossible to provide a cartridge memory that is commonly applicable to aplurality of generations of information recording media. It should benoted that the effect described here is not necessarily limitative andmay be any effect described in the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a magnetic tape cartridgeaccording to an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a tape drive apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a cartridge memory according toan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the cartridgememory.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing a relationship between a memory unitand a data storage area in the cartridge memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure of setting the data storagearea.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present technology will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a magnetic tape cartridgeaccording to an embodiment of the present technology, and FIG. 2 is aschematic perspective view of a tape drive apparatus. In thisembodiment, as a recording medium cartridge, a magnetic tape cartridge(hereinafter, referred to as tape cartridge 100) of the LTO standardshown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. Hereinafter,configurations of the tape cartridge 100 and a tape drive apparatus 200shown in FIG. 2 will be schematically described.

[Tape Cartridge]

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape cartridge 100 includes a cartridge case 11configured by connecting an upper shell 11 a and a lower shell 11 b by aplurality of screw members. Inside the cartridge case 11, a single tapereel 13 around which a magnetic tape 12 as a magnetic recording mediumis wound is rotatably housed. In this embodiment, as the magnetic tape12, a magnetic tape having the number of data tracks of, for example,not less than 6000 is used.

A chucking gear (illustration omitted) to be engaged with a spindle 201(see FIG. 2) of the tape drive apparatus 200 is annularly formed at thecenter of the bottom of the tape reel 13. The chucking gear is exposedto the outside via an opening 14 formed at the center of the lower shell11 b. On the inner peripheral side of this chucking gear, an annularmetal plate 15 to be magnetically attracted to the spindle 201 is fixed.

A reel spring 16, a reel lock member 17, and a spider 18 are disposedbetween the inner surface of the upper shell 11 a and the tape reel 13.They configure a reel lock mechanism that suppresses rotation of thetape reel 13 when the tape cartridge 100 is not used.

At one side wall part of the cartridge case 11, a tape outlet 19 fordrawing out one end of the magnetic tape 12 to the outside is provided.Inside the side wall part, a slide door 20 that opens/closes the tapeoutlet 19 is disposed. The slide door 20 is configured to slide in thedirection of opening the tape outlet 19 against the biasing force of atorsion spring 21 by the engagement with a tape loading mechanism(illustration omitted) of the tape drive apparatus 200.

A leader pin 22 is fixed to one end of the magnetic tape 12. The leaderpin 22 is configured to be attachable/detachable to/from a pin holdingpart 23 provided on the inner side of the tape outlet 19. The pinholding part 23 includes elastic holders 24 that elastically hold theupper end and the lower end of the leader pin 22 in the upper wall innersurface (inner surface of the upper shell 11 a) of the cartridge case 11and the bottom wall inner surface (inner surface of the lower shell 11b).

Then, in addition to a safety tab 25 for preventing erroneous erasure ofinformation recorded in the magnetic tape 12, a cartridge memory CMcapable of reading/writing, without contact, content relating toinformation recorded in the magnetic tape 12 is disposed inside theother side wall of the cartridge case 21. The cartridge memory CMincludes a noncontact communication medium equipped with, an antennacoil, an IC chip and the like on a substrate.

[Tape Drive Apparatus]

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape drive apparatus 200 is configured to becapable of loading the tape cartridge 100. Although the tape driveapparatus 200 is configured to be capable of loading one tape cartridge100, it may be configured to be capable of simultaneously loading aplurality of tape cartridges 100.

The tape drive apparatus 200 includes the spindle 201, a take-up reel202, a spindle drive device 203, a reel drive device 204, a plurality ofguide rollers 205, a head unit 206, a reader/writer 207, a controldevice 208, and the like.

The spindle 201 includes a head part to be engaged with the chuckinggear of the tape reel 13 via the opening 14 formed in the lower shell 11b of the tape cartridge 100. The spindle 201 raises the tape reel 13 bya predetermined distance against the biasing force of the reel spring 16to release the reel lock function by the reel lock member 17. As aresult, the tape reel 13 is rotatably supported by the spindle 201inside the cartridge case 11.

The spindle drive device 203 causes, in response to a command from thecontrol device 208, the spindle 201 to rotate. The take-up reel 202 isconfigured to be capable of fixing the tip (leader pin 22) of themagnetic tape 12 pulled out of the tape cartridge 100 via tape loadingmechanism (not shown). The plurality of guide rollers 205 guidetravelling of the magnetic tape 12 so that a tape path formed betweenthe tape cartridge 100 and the take-up reel 202 has a predeterminedrelative positional relationship with the head unit 206. The reel drivedevice 204 causes, in response to a command from the control device 208,the take-up reel 202 to rotate. When recording/reproduction of a datasignal is performed on the magnetic tape 12, the spindle drive device203 and the reel drive device 204 respectively cause the spindle 201 andthe take-up reel 202 to rotate, and thus, the magnetic tape 12 travels.

The head unit 206 is configured to be capable of recording a data signalin the magnetic tape 12 or reproducing a data signal written to themagnetic tape 12, in response to a command from the control device 208.

The reader/writer 207 is configured to be capable of readingpredetermined management information from the cartridge memory CMmounted on the tape cartridge 100 or recording predetermined managementinformation in the cartridge memory CM, in response to a command fromthe control device 208. As a communication method between thereader/writer 207 and the cartridge memory CM, for example, an ISO 14443method is adopted.

The control device 208 includes, for example, a computer including a CPU(Central Processing Unit), a storage unit, a communication unit, and thelike, and integrally controls the respective units of the tape driveapparatus 200.

[Cartridge Memory]

Subsequently, details of the cartridge memory CM will be described.

(Basic Configuration)

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the cartridge memory CM. Thecartridge memory CM includes an RFID tag including a support substrate31, an antenna coil 32, and an IC chip 33.

The support substrate 31 includes a relatively rigid wiring substratesuch as a glass epoxy substrate. The antenna coil 32 is a flat loop coilformed on the support substrate 31, and includes copper foil, aluminumfoil, or the like having a predetermined thickness. The IC chip 33 ismounted on the support substrate 31, and electrically connected to theantenna coil 32. The IC chip 33 incorporates a voltage generation unitthat generates a start voltage on the basis of the signal magnetic fieldreceived from the reader/writer 207 via the antenna coil 32, a memoryunit that stores predetermined management information relating to thetape cartridge 100, a controller that reads information from the memoryunit, and the like.

Examples of the management information include product information andusage history information of the tape cartridge 100 and the magnetictape 12, outlines of information recorded in the magnetic tape 12, andthe like.

The product information includes production information, the number ofdata tracks of the magnetic tape 12, and unique information such as ID.The production information includes, for example, a material (e.g.,polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) of a base film constituting themagnetic tape 12, a thermal expansion coefficient (e.g., 15E-6 mm/mm/°C.) thereof, and a humidity expansion coefficient (e.g., 12E-6 mm/mm/RH%).

Examples of the usage history information include access date and time,address information, communication history with the reader/writer 207,and presence or absence of abnormality at the time of loading/unloadingto the tape drive apparatus 200.

As the outlines of information recorded in the magnetic tape 12, servotracking information at the time of initial signal recording may beincluded. The servo tracking information includes, for example,deviation from a standard value between certain servo bands, i.e.,information regarding the difference from a standard value of thedistance between servo bands read by the head mechanism (the head unit206) at the time of initial tracking may be included. Alternatively, theservo tracking information may include information regarding thepositions of the servo bands at the time of initial tracking.

Since the cartridge memory CM receives the signal magnetic fieldtransmitted from the reader/writer 207 by the antenna coil 32 togenerate power, it operates with no power supply. The powersupply/communication frequency from the reader/writer 207 is 13.56 MHzthat is the same as that of NFC (Near Field Communication). As thememory to be incorporated in the IC chip 33, a non-volatile memory (NVM)is used.

The number of data tracks of the magnetic tape cartridge of the LTOstandard increases and the recording capacity is dramatically improvedfor each generation. As an example, the number of data tracks hasincreased from 384 in the initial LTO-1 to 512, 704, 896, 1280, 2176,3584, and 6656 in LTO-2 to LTO8, respectively. Similarly, the recordingcapacity of data has increased from 100 GB (gigabytes) in LTO-1 to 200GB, 400 GB, 800 GB, 1.5 TB (terabytes), 2.5 TB, 6.0 TB, and 12 TB inLTO-2 to LTO-8, respectively.

Since the amount of management information stored in a cartridge memoryincreases with the increase in the number of data tracks of a magnetictape, the capacity of the cartridge memory (memory capacity) is alsoincreasing. For example, it has increased from 4 kB (kilobytes) in LTO-1and LTO-2 to 8 kB in LTO-3 to LTO-5 and 16 kB in LTO-6 to 8. Therefore,it is expected that as the amount of data that can be recorded in LTOincreases, also the memory capacity of the cartridge memory will furtherincrease in the future.

As described above, since a plurality of types of cartridge memoriesneeds to be prepared for the magnetic tape cartridge of the LTO standardfor each generation, an increase in production cost and management costcannot be avoided. In this regard, the cartridge memory CM according tothis embodiment is configured to be commonly applicable to LTOs of aplurality of generations. Hereinafter, details of the cartridge memoryCM will be described.

(Details of Cartridge Memory)

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the cartridgememory CM according to this embodiment. The cartridge memory CM includesa voltage generation unit 41, a memory unit 42, and a control unit 43.

The voltage generation unit 41 includes the antenna coil 32, a resonantcapacity 44, and a power source unit 45. The voltage generation unit 41is configured to be capable of receiving the signal magnetic fieldtransmitted from the reader/writer 207 (see FIG. 2) that is an externaldevice to generate a voltage.

The resonant capacity 44 is connected to the antenna coil 32 in parallelto constitute a resonant circuit. The resonant capacity 44 may include asingle capacitive device or a parallel circuit or series circuit of aplurality of capacitive devices. In the case where the resonant capacity44 includes a plurality of capacitive devices, the resonant capacity 44may further include a plurality of switching devices (transistors or thelike) capable of adjusting the resonance frequency of theabove-mentioned resonant circuit by electrically connecting ordisconnecting an arbitrary capacitive device of the plurality ofcapacitive devices in response to a command from the control unit 43.

The power source unit 45 is a power source circuit that generates avoltage from the resonant circuit configured by the antenna coil 32 andthe resonant capacity 44, and includes a rectifier circuit that convertsalternating current to direct current, a regulator, an AD converter thatconverts an analog signal to a digital signal, and the like.

The memory unit 42 includes a semiconductor memory device such as anon-volatile memory. The memory unit 42 may include a memory controllerthat controls driving of the memory device. The memory unit 42 has adata storage area in which a circuit parameter of the voltage generationunit 41 and predetermined management information are to be stored.

Although the capacity of the memory unit 42 (memory capacity) is usuallyselected in accordance with the number of data tracks of the magnetictape 12, the memory unit 42 has a certain capacity that does not dependon the number of data tracks of the magnetic tape, which is, forexample, not less than 32 kB in this embodiment. This memory capacity iscompatible with not only the LTO tape cartridges of the eighthgeneration and earlier (to LTO-8) but also the LTO tape cartridges ofthe ninth generation and later. Among these, the capacity of the datastorage area for storing management information is set depending on thenumber of data tracks of the applied magnetic tape 12 by a capacitysetting unit 49 described below.

Examples of the circuit parameter include a capacity setting value forsetting the resonant capacity 44, and various adjustment values foradjusting the circuit characteristics of the power source unit 45.Examples of the predetermined management information include informationrelating to the tape cartridge 100 on which the cartridge memory CM ismounted as described above, e.g., identification information (ID) of thetape cartridge 100 or the cartridge memory CM or management informationof data recorded in the magnetic tape 12. At least a part of themanagement information includes one that is to be updated in response toa writing command from the reader/writer 207 or newly written to thememory unit 42.

The control unit 43 includes a controller 46, a modulation unit 47, aclock signal generation path 48, and the capacity setting unit 49.

The controller 46 includes a computer including a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) and an internal memory. The controller 46 executesvarious programs stored in the internal memory to integrally control therespective units of the cartridge memory CM. The internal memoryincludes a non-volatile memory that stores the programs and variousparameters, and a volatile memory to be used as a work area. The variousprograms may by read from portable storage medium or downloaded from aserver apparatus on the network.

The modulation unit 47 is a block that processes the signal receivedfrom the reader/writer 207 via the antenna coil 32 or generates a signalto be transmitted to the reader/writer 207 via the antenna coil 32, andincludes a transmission/reception circuit including a modulationcircuit, a demodulation circuit, a detection circuit, and the like.

The clock signal generation unit 48 is configured to be capable ofsupplying a clock signal of a predetermined frequency to the memory unit42 in response to a command from the controller 46. By the frequency ofthe clock signal, the reading speed of data from the memory unit 42 andthe writing speed of data to the memory unit 42 are determined.

The clock signal generation unit 48 typically includes one divider or aplurality of dividers. The plurality of dividers may be connected inseries or in parallel. The clock signal generation unit 48 supplies thefrequency obtained by dividing the frequency of a reference clock to thememory unit 42 as a clock signal. As the reference clock, for example,the communication frequency (13.56 MHz) of the reader/writer 207 isused. The frequency of the clock signal in this case is, for example,848 kHz that is 1/16 of the frequency of the reference clock, or 3.39MHz that is ¼ of the frequency of the reference clock.

The capacity setting unit 49 is a block that sets the capacity of thedata storage area of the memory unit 42 on the basis of a command fromthe controller 46. The capacity setting unit 49 may configured as a partof the controller 46 or a part of the memory unit 42.

The cartridge memory CM according to this embodiment includes: thememory unit 42 that has a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium configuredto be capable of recording information with a second data track numberlarger than a first data track number; and the capacity setting unit 49configured to be capable of setting, to the memory unit 42, a datastorage area limited to a first capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a first information recording medium configuredto be capable of recording information with the first data track number.

As described above, in this embodiment, the memory unit 42 includes amemory device having a larger capacity (32 kB) than the memory capacity(16 kB) to be applied to LTO-8. Therefore, since the cartridge memory CMaccording to this embodiment is applicable to not only LTO-8 but alsothe LTO of the generation in which the number of data tracks is largerthan that of LTO-8 and the LTOs of earlier generations, it can becommonly used for a plurality of generations. Meanwhile, if the capacityof the data storage area in which management information of the tapecartridge 100 is to be stored is unnecessarily large, the accessibilityto the management information is reduced, and there is a possibilitythat information cannot be transferred within the time allocated forcommunication with the reader/writer 207. Further, the power consumptionincreases and the system goes down due to shortage in power that can beacquired by the voltage generation unit 41 in some cases.

In this regard, in this embodiment, the capacity setting unit 49 capableof variably setting the capacity of the data storage area in the memoryunit 42 is provided. The capacity setting unit 49 is configured to becapable of setting the capacity of the data storage area to a capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the magnetic tape12 in the memory capacity of the memory unit 42.

For example, in the case where the number of data tracks of the magnetictape 12 is 2176 to 6656 of the LTO-6 to LTO-8 specifications, thecapacity setting unit 49 limits the data storage area in the memorycapacity (32 kB) of the memory unit 42 to the capacity (16 kB) of theLTO-6 to LTO-8 specifications. Alternatively, in the case where thenumber of data tracks of the magnetic tape 12 is 704 to 1280 of theLTO-3 to LTO-5 specifications, the capacity setting unit 49 limits thedata storage area to 8 kB of the LTO-3 to LTO-5 specifications.

The aspect of the limitation of the data storage area by the capacitysetting unit 49 is not particularly limited, and the number of datablocks used for storing management information may be limited ormanagement information may be set to be stored only for a specificaddress. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship betweenthe memory unit 42 and the data storage area. An area R1 and an area R2respectively indicate a data storage area for 16 kB and a data storagearea for 8 kB.

As shown in the figure, the entire capacity of the memory unit 42 is notallocated as a data storage area for storing management informationrelating to the magnetic tape 12, but is optimized to the capacity ofthe data storage area in accordance with the generation of LTO (inaccordance with the number of data tracks of the magnetic tape 12). As aresult, since the accessibility to the management information issecured, it is possible to transfer information within the timeallocated for communication with the reader/writer 207. Further, sincethe increase in power consumption can be suppressed, it is possible toprevent the system from going down due to power shortage.

The areas R1 and R2 do not necessarily need to be configured byphysically different data blocks, and may be set as areas in which atleast parts thereof overlap with each other. Alternatively, a datastorage area with a capacity of the spec or greater may be set, and theaddress may be thinned to store information.

The capacity setting unit 49 may be configured to create a differentdata format for each data storage area, and cause the controller 46 toexecute reading or writing control of information based on the dataformat. As a result, since the controller 46 does not need to executethe control procedure different for each capacity of the data storagearea, it is possible to reduce the load on the controller 46.

Note that the memory area other than the capacity-limited data expansionarea may be left as an area in which no data is stored, or may be usedas an area for storing information other than the managementinformation. Examples of the information other than the managementinformation include information that can be arbitrarily written by auser, and image data and text data relating to information to berecorded in the magnetic tape 12.

Further, the capacity setting unit 49 is configured to be capable ofexpanding the above-mentioned data storage area limited to the firstcapacity to a second capacity capable of storing management informationrelating to the above-mentioned second information recording medium.

For example, the capacity setting unit 49 is configured to be capable ofexpanding the data expansion area R1 limited to 16 kB (first capacity)to, for example, a data expansion area R3 of 32 kB (second capacity). Asa result, in the case where a tape cartridge having high performance inwhich the number of data tracks of the magnetic tape increases and alsothe amount of management information increase accordingly is produced,it is possible to reset the memory unit 42 set to the data expansionarea corresponding to 16 kB to a data expansion area corresponding to 32kB. That is, it is possible to reuse, as a cartridge memory applicableto a tape cartridge of the next generation, a cartridge memory set for atape cartridge of the current generation as a target.

The capacity setting unit 49 sets a data storage area to the memory unit42 on the basis of a command from the controller 46. The setting of thedata storage area is typically performed at the time when the tapecartridge 100 is produced. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the procedure ofsetting the data storage area.

The tape cartridge 100 is produced by incorporating various componentssuch as the magnetic tape 12 (tape reel 13) prepared in advance, thereel lock mechanism, the slide door, and the cartridge memory CM in thecartridge case 11 at predetermined positions. The cartridge memory CMsets a data storage area corresponding to the type (number of datatracks) of the magnetic tape 12 to the memory unit 42 by using adedicated communication device. For example, the data storage area R3for 32 kB (see FIG. 5) is set in the case where the number of datatracks of the magnetic tape 12 is not less than 7000 (Steps 101 and102), and the data storage area R1 for 16 kB is set in the case wherethe number of data tracks is not less than 2000 and less than 7000(Steps 103 and 104). In the case where the number of data tracks is lessthan 2000, the data storage area R2 for 8 kB is set (Steps 103 and 105).

As described above, in accordance with the cartridge memory CM accordingto this embodiment, since it includes a memory unit having a certainmemory capacity that does not depend on the number of data tracks, onetype of cartridge memory CM can be commonly applied to LTO cartridges ofall generations. As a result, since it is not necessary to prepare aplurality of types of different cartridge memories for each generation,production cost and management cost can be reduced. Further, it ispossible to cope with the future increase in the number of data tracksby one type of cartridge memory CM.

Further, since the capacity setting unit 49 is configured to be capableof expanding the data storage area of the memory unit 42, it is possibleto easily cope with the future increase in the number of data tracks.Therefore, the cartridge memory CM can be continuously used withoutreplacing it with another cartridge memory having a large memorycapacity.

Modified Example

Although an embodiment of the present technology has been describedabove, it goes without saying that the present technology is not limitedto the above-mentioned embodiment and various modifications can be made.

For example, although the memory capacity of the memory unit 42 in thecartridge memory CM has been 32 kB in the above-mentioned embodiment,the present technology is of course not limited thereto, and may includea memory unit having a memory capacity of not less than 32 kB, i.e., 64kB or 128 kB.

Although the cartridge memory to be mounted on the magnetic tapecartridge of the LTO standard has been described as an example in theabove-mentioned embodiment, the present technology is not limitedthereto, and it is applicable also to a cartridge memory for a magnetictape cartridge of another standard other than LTO.

Further, the present technology is applicable also to anotherinformation recording medium other than a magnetic tape (tape-likerecording medium), such as an optical disc, a magnetic disc, amagneto-optical disc, a semiconductor memory, and a cartridge memory fora portable hard disc drive.

It should be noted that the present technology may take the followingconfigurations.

(1) A cartridge memory for a recording medium cartridge, including:

a memory unit that has a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium configuredto be capable of recording information with a second data track numberlarger than a first data track number; and

a capacity setting unit configured to be capable of setting, to thememory unit, a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable ofstoring management information relating to a first information recordingmedium configured to be capable of recording information with the firstdata track number.

(2) The cartridge memory according to (1) above, in which

the capacity setting unit is configured to be capable of expanding thedata storage area limited to the first capacity to a second capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the secondinformation recording medium.

(3) The cartridge memory according to (1) or (2) above, in which

the memory unit has a memory capacity of not less than 32 kilobytes, and

the capacity setting unit sets a data storage area having the firstcapacity of not more than 16 kilobytes to the memory unit.

(4) The cartridge memory according to any one of (1) to (3) above,further including

a voltage generation unit that includes an antenna coil fortransmission/reception and receives a signal magnetic field from anexternal device to generate a voltage.

(5) A recording medium cartridge, including:

a first information recording medium configured to be capable ofrecording information with a first data track number; and

a cartridge memory that includes a memory unit having a memory capacitycapable of storing management information relating to a secondinformation recording medium configured to be capable of recordinginformation with a second data track number larger than the first datatrack number, and a capacity setting unit configured to be capable ofsetting, to the memory unit, a data storage area limited to a capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the firstinformation recording medium.

(6) The recording medium cartridge according to (5) above, in which

the first recording medium is a magnetic recording medium.

(7) The recording medium cartridge according to (6) above, in which

the first recording medium is a tape-like recording medium.

(8) The recording medium cartridge according to (7) above, in which

the first data track number is not less than 6000.

(9) A method of producing a recording medium cartridge, including:

preparing an information recording medium configured to be capable ofrecording information with a first data track number and a cartridgememory having a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium capable ofrecording information with a second data track number larger than thefirst data track number; and

setting, to the memory unit, a data storage area limited to a capacitycapable of storing management information relating to the firstinformation recording medium configured to be capable of recordinginformation with the first data track number.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   11 cartridge case    -   12 magnetic tape    -   32 antenna coil    -   33 IC chip    -   41 voltage generation unit    -   42 memory unit    -   43 control unit    -   46 controller    -   49 capacity setting unit    -   100 tape cartridge    -   200 tape drive apparatus    -   CM cartridge memory

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cartridge memory for a recording mediumcartridge, comprising: a memory unit that has a memory capacity capableof storing management information relating to a second informationrecording medium configured to be capable of recording information witha second data track number larger than a first data track number; and acapacity setting unit configured to be capable of setting, to the memoryunit, a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable of storingmanagement information relating to a first information recording mediumconfigured to be capable of recording information with the first datatrack number.
 2. The cartridge memory according to claim 1, wherein thecapacity setting unit is configured to be capable of expanding the datastorage area limited to the first capacity to a second capacity capableof storing management information relating to the second informationrecording medium.
 3. The cartridge memory according to claim 1, whereinthe memory unit has a memory capacity of not less than 32 kilobytes, andthe capacity setting unit sets a data storage area having the firstcapacity of not more than 16 kilobytes to the memory unit.
 4. Thecartridge memory according to claim 1, further comprising a voltagegeneration unit that includes an antenna coil for transmission/receptionand receives a signal magnetic field from an external device to generatea voltage.
 5. A recording medium cartridge, comprising: a firstinformation recording medium configured to be capable of recordinginformation with a first data track number; and a cartridge memory thatincludes a memory unit having a memory capacity capable of storingmanagement information relating to a second information recording mediumconfigured to be capable of recording information with a second datatrack number larger than the first data track number, and a capacitysetting unit configured to be capable of setting, to the memory unit, adata storage area limited to a capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to the first information recording medium.
 6. Therecording medium cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the firstrecording medium is a magnetic recording medium.
 7. The recording mediumcartridge according to claim 6, wherein the first recording medium is atape-like recording medium.
 8. The recording medium cartridge accordingto claim 7, wherein the first data track number is not less than 6000.9. A method of producing a recording medium cartridge, comprising:preparing an information recording medium configured to be capable ofrecording information with a first data track number and a cartridgememory having a memory capacity capable of storing managementinformation relating to a second information recording medium capable ofrecording information with a second data track number larger than thefirst data track number; and setting, to the memory unit, a data storagearea limited to a capacity capable of storing management informationrelating to the first information recording medium configured to becapable of recording information with the first data track number.